Support structure for a limp bag

ABSTRACT

Support structure for a limp bag with a front sheet biased to flex in a horizontal plane but not in a vertical plane, a rear sheet biased to flex in a horizontal plane but not in a vertical plane, the sheets hingedly attached to each other on their left and right sides so that the sheets form an envelope having an inside portion that can be opened to form an enclosure having an open elliptically shaped top and bottom portion, the inside bottom portion including at least one torsion spring and attached arms that are fixedly located on the bottom horizontal plane of the endosure and spreading at a ninety degree angle from each other when in the non stressed position so that the arms automatically hold the structure in an open elliptical shape.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of bag holders and morespecifically to a support structure for a standard resalable limp bag.Limp type storage bags made out of such materials as such aspolyethylene or polypropylene, have been in use for many years. A commontype of storage bag is the resealable type that can hold a variety ofcontents, even liquids that, when in a sealed condition, can hold thecontents in a safe non spilling manner. A number of patented inventionshave been proposed to help keep limp bags in an upright and openposition including U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,502,291, 3,614,041 and 3,614,042.

These inventions help a person keep a bag in the open position so that auser can put items into the bag without the need to use one or morehands to hold the bag open and upright.

However there are deficiencies in the prior technology. First, the priorart all includes support structures that do not completely surround thebag being held, they tend to be frame type structures that allow theunsightly bag to be seen. A traditional trash can type structure cansupport a limp, bag, but can not be easily folded flat for storage.Second, none of the prior art specifically addresses the issue ofholding up a standard gallon size or quart size resalable bag so thatthe lip of the bag can be folded over the lip of the support structurethereby holding it open while the bottom of the bag rests safely on thesurface that the support restructure sits on. Finally, while some of theprior art structures fold flat, they do not automatically spring openfor use by the release of a retaining member.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is to provide a support structurefor a limp bag.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bag support structurethat is primarily designed to support resealable type bags in an uprightand open position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bag support structurethat can be folded flat.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bag support structurethat automatically transitions from the flat stored position to the opentopped use position when the user releases a retaining member.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a bag supportstructure that completely surrounds the limp bag in a decorative manner.

Still yet another object of the invention is to provide a bag supportstructure that is sized to fit common resealable storage bags such as aquart sized bag or a gallon sized bag so that the top lip of the storagebag can be folded over the top lip of the support structure and thebottom of the storage bag rests on the flat operating surface when inuse.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, anembodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there isdisclosed a support structure for a limp bag comprising: a front sheetbiased to flex in a horizontal plane but not in a vertical plane, a rearsheet biased to flex in a horizontal plane but not in a vertical plane,said sheets hingedly attached to each other on their left and rightsides so that said sheets form an envelope having an inside portion thatcan be opened to form an enclosure having an elliptically shaped top andbottom, said inside bottom portion including at least one torsion springand attached arms that are fixedly located on the bottom horizontalplane of said enclosure and spreading at approximately a ninety degreeangle from each other when in the non stressed position so that saidarms automatically hold said structure in an open elliptical shape, saidarms also capable of being folded inward so that said flexible ellipsestructure can be pressed flat, and said flat structure capable ofremaining temporarily flattened by use of a U shaped retaining memberthat grasps the outer surfaces of said front and rear sheets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and includeexemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects ofthe invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate anunderstanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bag holder of the present inventionin an open use position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bag holder of the present inventionin an open position with a bag in place.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the invention in the open position.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the invention in the closed position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the invention in the dosed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein.It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may beembodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed hereinare not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for theclaims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the artto employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailedsystem, structure or manner. Referring now to FIG. 1 we see aperspective view 100 of the bag holder of the present invention in theopen position. The holder is comprised of front and rear sheets 2, 4that are flexibly biased in the horizontal direction but not flexiblyUnbiased in the vertical direction. In the embodiment shown, the sheetsare constructed from a plurality of thin vertical members 16 such asbamboo strips or man made plastic strips that are bound together byflexible banding 10, 12, 14 but could also be sewn together or be moldedout of single sheet of flexible plastic material such as low densitypolyethylene. The sheets 2, 4 are attached at their right and left sidesby hinge members 6, 8. However, in an alternate embodiment, sheets 2 and4 could be constructed as one sheet where the sheet folded upon itselfforms the entire enclosure including integral hinges.

Referring now to FIG. 2 we see a perspective view of the invention 100with a plastic bag 18 in place as shown by dotted line 20. The lip ofthe bag 21 is folded over the top lip of the bag 18 holder 100 therebyholding the bag in an upright and open position. The holder 100 is sizedto hold a standard resealable plastic bag such as a one gallon bag or aone quart bag. The height of the bag holder 100 is such that the bottomof the bag 23 touches the surface upon which the bag holder 100 sits. Inthis way, the present invention 100 can be used when a person wishes tofill the bag 20 with items such as food, including soup or other liquidingredients. Because the bag holder 100 holds the bag in an open andupright position without the use of hands, the user is free to use hisor her hands to pour contents into the bag thereby avoiding potentialspilling. The bag holder can also be used to temporarily store unwanteditems such as fruit or vegetable peelings. When the bag is full, it canbe easily removed from the holder 100 and discarded. The bag holder 100can also retain other types of disposable bags for holding trash itemssuch as the plastic bags commonly used in the purchase of fruits andvegetables at the grocery store. Because the limp bag is completelysurrounded by a decorative support structure 100, it can remain on akitchen counter without seeming unsightly. The bag holder 100 alsoallows a person to mix food ingredients in the bag 20 rather than mixingin a bowl which then has to be cleaned and dried. The mixed ingredientscan then be stored in the resealable bag and the bag, removed from itsholder 100, can be stored in a refrigerator for later use.

FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the invention 100. Rod shaped spreaderarms 24, 26, 32, 34 help hold the side panels 2, 4 in the open position.Torsion springs 28, 30 are fixedly attached to the arm ends and act tospread the arms to roughly ninety degrees. Flexible tubular member 22,38 connect the arms at a central location. Adhesive 68, 70 attaches theelbow of each arm to the lowest portion of the inside surface offlexible sheets 2, 4 so that the arms 24, 26, 32, 34 reside horizontallyalong the bottom edge of the inside portion of sheets 2, 4. Hingemembers 6, 8 are also flexible so that sheets 2 and 4 can be pushed to aflattened state as shown in FIG. 4.

U shaped retaining member 20 is shown in its unused state in FIG. 3 andits use state in FIG. 4 thereby holding sheets 2, 4 in a flattenedconfiguration. FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the invention 100 inits closed position. U shaped retaining member 20 can be clearly seenholding sheets 2 and 4 in a flattened storage position.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferredembodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention tothe particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended tocover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may beincluded within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

1. Support structure for a limp bag comprising: a front sheet biased toflex in a horizontal plane but not in a vertical plane; a rear sheetbiased to flex in a horizontal plane but not in a vertical plane; saidsheets hingedly attached to each other on their left and right sides sothat said sheets form an envelope having an inside portion that can beopened to form an enclosure having an open elliptically shaped top andbottom; said inside bottom portion including at least one torsion springattached to arms that are fixedly located on the bottom horizontal planeof said enclosure and spreading at a ninety degree angle from each otherwhen in the non stressed position so that said arms bias against theinner surfaces of said front and rear sheets to automatically hold saidstructure in an elliptical shape; said arms also capable of being foldedinward so that said flexible ellipse structure can be pressed flat; andsaid flat structure capable of remaining temporarily flattened by use ofa U shaped retaining member that grasps the outer surfaces of said frontand rear sheets.
 2. Support structure for a limp bag as claimed in claim1 wherein said support structure is sized to hold a standard resealablelimp bag so that the lip portion of said bag can be folded over the toplip portion of said support structure and the bottom of said limp bagcan touch the flat surface that the support structure is standing on. 3.Support structure for a limp bag as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidsupport structure can be sized to retain either a gallon sized bag, aquart sized bag or a sandwich sized bag or other sized bags.